The exclusive Lakers and UCLA Health Experience concluded today at Arab Health 2025, where it brought together global healthcare leaders, sports icons and medical pioneers to highlight the role of sports medicine in supporting the physical health of top athletes and advancing health equity through the power of athletics.
Hosted for the first time in the Middle East, the two-day invite-only event featured seven-time NBA Champion Robert Horry and five-time NBA Champion Michael Cooper alongside UCLA Health’s experts.
Empowering athletes while advancing global healthcare equity
During the event at Arab Health 2025, attendees gained key insights into the pioneering work of UCLA Health. UCLA Health serves as the official team of physicians for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, Chargers and Sparks and is the official healthcare provider for USA Basketball. Participants learned how the multidisciplinary team combines medical expertise with innovation to empower athletes while advancing global healthcare equity.
Reflecting on the importance of medical care during his career, Horry said: “I was very blessed because, in the 16 seasons I played, I only got injured twice. The first time, a player fell on me, and I strained my medial collateral ligament. The injury happened on a Friday, and I was already getting rehab by Monday. I walked into rehabilitation on crutches, and they told me to lose the crutches.”
Horry added that athletes must put their trust in the doctors and physical therapists to get them back to playing. “It wasn’t just about getting me back on the court; they taught me little things to ensure I never needed to see them again. After that, I never experienced anything physical that stopped me from playing because I was given preventative measures to take care of myself,” he added.
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UCLA Health expands to broader global community
UCLA Health has been a leader in healthcare innovation for over 60 years and is consistently ranked among the best in the U.S. Through its International Services division, it has extended its expertise to over 130 countries, forging relationships that make world-class care accessible to diverse communities.
“The partnership with the Lakers is very important for UCLA Health. We are not just about sports medicine – a lot happens between the Lakers, UCLA Health, the community and now the global community. Over the past year, we expanded our relationship beyond the U.S. This partnership is all about treating our players but also about bringing the level of care we provide to the Lakers to the broader global community,” stated Michael Burke, UCLA Health’s chief of international and business development services.
While the Lakers and UCLA Health Experience has come to a close, Arab Health 2025 continues at the Dubai World Trade Center until January 30. The event, which connects over 3,800 exhibitors and over 60,000 attendees from more than 70 countries, remains a global platform for healthcare innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.
